The family headed to Nice in the south of France on a private jet and are reported to have stayed in a villa overlooking the sunny Mediterranean.

Their arrival in the French Riviera came just two days after they arrived back from Ibiza, where they took a break around August 4, when Meghan celebrated her 38th birthday. The couple’s office declined to comment on either trip.

The Sun, which broke the story, said the couple used a private jet for both trips, including a 12-seater Cessna plane pictured in the U.K. newspaper.

Meghan Markle, Prince Harry and son Archie at Archie's christening in July.

CHRIS ALLERTON/AFP/Getty Images

Speaking about their use of a private Cessna jet, British Member of Parliament Teresa Pearce told The Sun, “I find this quite surprising, because it doesn’t fit with their public image and the way they’re so concerned about the planet.”

In response to the criticism, singer Elton John tweeted that he had supplied the private plane and ensured it was “carbon neutral.”

“I am deeply distressed by today’s distorted and malicious account in the press surrounding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s private stay at my home in Nice last week,” he wrote on Twitter. “Prince Harry’s Mother, Diana Princess Of Wales was one of my dearest friends. I feel a profound sense of obligation to protect Harry and his family from the unnecessary press intrusion that contributed to Diana’s untimely death.”

Samir Hussein/WireImage

The Grammy winner continued, “After a hectic year continuing their hard work and dedication to charity, David and I wanted the young family to have a private holiday inside the safety and tranquility of our home. To maintain a high level of much-needed protection, we provided them with a private jet flight.”

“To support Prince Harry’s commitment to the environment, we ensured their flight was carbon neutral, by making the appropriate contribution to Carbon Footprint™,” he said. “I highly respect and applaud both Harry and Meghan’s commitment to charity and I’m calling on the press to cease these relentless and untrue assassinations on their character that are spuriously crafted on an almost daily basis.”

The string of five tweets was signed, “Elton.”

Meghan Markle, Prince Harry and Archie at a charity polo match on July 10.

Manage Push Notifications

If you have opted in for our browser push notifications, and you would like to
opt-out, please refer to the following instructions depending on your device and
browser. For turning notifications on or off on Google Chrome and Android
click here, for Firefox
click here, for Safari
click here and for Microsoft's Edge
click here.

View image

Beach Baby! Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Take Archie on Vacation to the South of France

this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.